Jameson Distillery

For the last weekend in January, we took a trip to Dublin to participate in Tradfest and to hear Irish music and enjoy the great craic!  We drove up on Friday night and stayed at The Shelbourne.  It is a lovely hotel and within easy walking distance of Grafton street and all things downtown Dublin.  This is also where they had the coffee table book, "Luggala Days" in our room.

When we set out, I was driving and Steve was directing.  Steve said he thought he could get me right to the hotel.  I asked couldn't he get the exact directions?  (You know, as a back-up in case he forgot something) and Steve goes, "Do I look like I have a pen and paper?"  To which I wasn't sure how to respond really, given that we both have iphones and navigation apps - so I resorted to calling him Grandpa!  We had a good laugh, Steve only missed one turn and we arrived safely at the hotel.

Upon pulling up front, the valet asked me if I needed help with my bag.  I told him that the rule is, if you pack it, you have to be able to carry it!  (which isn't really the rule if you recall my giant suitcase in Lanzarote...)  Anyway, he thought that was hilarious - and this trip, I was in fact able to carry my suitcase!

On Saturday morning we decided to take the opportunity to tour the Jameson Distillery.

Steve with his hot whiskey for breakfast...

This is what's left of my Irish Coffee after Steve knocked the table...

We learned that what sets Irish whiskey apart is that they distill it three times, making for a smoother beverage.  During the tour, we got to see many things that were original to the distillery, which was interesting.

Yes, this is a stuffed cat and he was the favorite mouser of the distillery back in the day. (or so they say, who knows?!)  They apparently had lots of cats to protect the bags of grain.

An original milling stone - over 200 years old.  To touch it three times means good luck will follow you!

A happy man!

Here was the part I was not sure I could do - the tasting.  In fact, even for my Irish coffee I asked the bartender to cut my shot in half!  So at the end of the tour, they gave us a sample of double-distilled whiskey from Scotland, Jameson, and a sample of single-distilled whiskey from Kentucky - it was Jack Daniels which was obvious right from the first scent - ah yes, the Jack and Coke days of youth!  I did NOT finish off the three shots.  I just sipped to taste.

But I did it - and I have the certificate to prove it!  Cheers!